Events

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – September 27, 2019

What To Do This Weekend in the World of Cars

Are you a lover of cars and looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We’ve selected a few events from the duPont REGISTRY Directory that are happening this weekend to help you make your weekend more enjoyable. Check them out! see all upcoming events Exotic Car Festival St. Armands 2019 Sep 28 at 10:00AM 300 Madison Dr, Sarasota, FL, USA learn more Supercars and Sundaes @ Gulf Coast Motorworks Sep 28 at 11:00AM 28701 Trails Edge Boulevard, Bonita Springs, FL, USA learn more Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase Sep 28 at 10:00AM 4150 North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, TX 75038, USA learn more Cars and Coffee Hawaii Sep 28 at 9:00AM 25 Kaneohe Bay Drive, Kailua, HI, USA learn more

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2019

duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee: September 2019

Autumn is in the air, and as any Floridian can tell you, the drop in humidity is the best part of the season. Our monthly gathering was greeted by perfect weather and a slight breeze. Thanks to the optimal conditions, we had another unprecedented event. Our next-door neighbors at Dimmitt Automotive brought a matte-finish Range Rover, Jaguar E-Pace, and a handful of McLarens. Watching a 600LT Spider shoot flames on command never gets old. If you happen to attend our Cars and Coffee, be sure to stop by Dimmitt afterward for the Cars & Coffee After Party. To beat the morning rush, several attendees chose to arrive on Friday. Not only is it easier on them, but it also gives us a chance to see amazing cars up close & personal. We had heard rumors about carbon fiber Mustangs being spotted in Montana, and they were confirmed on Saturday. Peregrine Automotive has developed a carbon fiber body for late-model Mustangs, and their Revenge GT is 6" wider than a normal Mustang. The roof and doors are the only parts not altered, to keep the passengers safe. Shaving several hundred pounds makes it ride like a dream, and the 345/30/20 rear tires are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. The fronts are 295/35/20 to provide just enough oversteer to keep it predictable. You will never have such a nimble & enjoyable experience, as the supercharger delivers over 800 horsepower to this featherweight Ford. First Home Bank has a pristine Tesla Model 3 that will be raffled next week. Open a new account and receive 30 tickets. Paddock-1 is building Tampa's first Luxury Garage Condos, and they were here with a small-scale representation of your next home. Each of their condos can be customized to their owner's liking and will feature state-of-the-art technology. You can learn more by clicking here. Just as our parking lots reached capacity, something wild turned the corner. A new Pagani Huayra Roadster made everyone stop and stare. The 2-tone carbotanium masterpiece was built to order, and its AMG V12 produced a symphony of tuned turbo exhaust. In addition to several pristine Italians, our guests were treated to a new Gulf Heritage Edition Ford GT. It was parked next to a 2005 GT, certainly a rare opportunity. It coincided with the debut of our 2020 Exotic Car Buyers Guide and our October issue. A new Toyota Supra Launch Edition caught the import crowd by surprise, and a polished Shelby Cobra glistened in the sunrise. We appreciate all the support from our friends and volunteers, and we will see you next month (October 19th) at Peter O Knight Airport on Davis Island.

By Edward Jones – September 20, 2019

What To Do This Weekend in the World of Cars

Are you a lover of cars and looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We’ve selected a few events from the duPont REGISTRY Directory that are happening this weekend to help you make your weekend more enjoyable. Check them out! see all upcoming events Cars and Coffee Palm Beach Sep 22 at 8:00AM 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 learn more Exotics & Espresso @ Prestige Imports Sep 21 at 10:00AM 14800 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami, FL, USA learn more Mecum Auctions in Louisville Sep 21 at 11:00AM 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY, USA learn more duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee Sep 21 at 6:00AM 3051 Tech Dr, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33716, United States learn more

By Edward Jones – September 19, 2019

Pagani Zonda is Celebrating It's 20th Anniversary in New ...

It was 20 years ago that the Pagani Zonda came into the world. Since then, this brilliant car has screamed across roads and circuits across the world, and been the star of many shows. In fact, the Zonda was dropping jaws just a few weeks ago at the Dream Ride Experience. To celebrate the Zonda's 20th anniversary, Pagani is taking over the Grand Central Terminal in New York City. More specifically, the Vanderbilt Hall will be where the Pagani Zonda 20th Anniversary Collection will be displayed. see all pagani's for sale This collection includes the following: Zonda 001 - The first Zonda production car. Zonda F - Dedicated to Horacio Pagani's mentor and friend, Juan Manuel Fangio. Zonda R - One of only 10 built; the ultimate track Zonda. Zonda Cinque - The most extreme Zonda road car built. Zonda HP Barchetta - Designed for Horacio Pagani himself. If you want to see these incredibly rare cars, they will be in the Grand Central Terminal starting November 1, 2019. Public viewing looks to run from November 4-8 from 8 am to 6 pm. Related Video: " width="680">

By Edward Jones – September 19, 2019

Vicari Auction is Heading to Cruisin’ The Coast® With Aro...

Presented by Vicari Auction - Welcome to America’s Largest Block Party. Cruisin’ The Coast® began in 1996 as a festival to celebrate antique, classic and hot rod vehicles, nostalgic music and related events. 374 vehicles registered that first year and in 2017 they had 8,308 registered vehicles. Car enthusiasts from 40 states plus Canada, Germany and Puerto Rico arrive on the Mississippi Gulf Coast once a year to showcase their rides and to cruise the beautiful 30-mile stretch of beach-side highway with designated stops in Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, D’Iberville, Gulfport, Pass Christian, Ocean Springs and Pascagoula. Vicari Auction will be expecting around 600 cars in the Classic & Muscle Car Auction on October 10, 11 & 12, 2019 during the Cruisin the Coast event. This week-long event takes place along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, October 6 thru October 13, 2019, for the annual Cruisin’ the Coast featuring all your favorite activities like cruise-ins, headline bands & oldies entertainment, a swap meet, the CTC/Vicari Auto Auction and much more! You can view the cars being offered by clicking the button down below. view vicari auction's cars Presented by Vicari Auctions From its home office in Harvey, LA Vicari Auction Company conducts Classic & Muscle Car Auctions across the southern US including venues in New Orleans, LA; Biloxi, MS and Nocona, TX.

By Edward Jones – September 13, 2019

What To Do This Weekend in the World of Cars

Are you a lover of cars and looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We’ve selected a few events from the duPont REGISTRY Directory that are happening this weekend to help you make your weekend more enjoyable. Check them out! see all upcoming events San Diego GT Sep 14 at 8:00AM 11455 Sorrento Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92121 learn more McLaren Montreal Exotics & Espresso Sep 15 at 11:00AM 2300 Boulevard Chomedey, Laval, QC H7T 2W3, Canada learn more Dimmitt Automotive Group's Wesley Chapel Audi Cars and Coffee Sep 14 at 8:30AM 2500 Lajuana Boulevard, Wesley Chapel, FL learn more Herb Chambers Cars and Coffee Sep 15 at 7:00AM 141 Derby Street, Hingham, Massachusetts learn more

By Andrew Nabors – September 11, 2019

Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Acquired by Hagerty

What began as a small event in 1996 has evolved into one of the world's must-see car shows. We have been a part of this show since the beginning because it is a great way to interact with our fans and dealers from around the Northeast. Not only is it our target audience, but our friend McKeel Hagerty also had the same idea. That is why the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance has been acquired by Hagerty. As the nation's leader in Collector Car Insurance, Hegerty's vision for the future was reported by the Greenwich Free Press. McKeel had this to say: Car people love Concours events, and this is one of the absolute best. We think we can take it to a whole new level by adding immersive, experiential elements that appeal to a broader swath of the car community, including younger fans.” He and his team intend to add Ride & Drives. If you have attended in the past, you know how hard Mary Wennerstrom works to put on this show. That is why she is staying on, as the Executive Director. We look forward to expanding our presence as the show evolves, so we salute Hagerty on this new venture. Check out these photos from past years, and we'll see you May 29-31st at Greenwich 2020. Related: duPont REGISTRY Live at Greenwich Concours Greenwich Concours Recap

By Edward Jones – September 06, 2019

What To Do This Weekend in the World of Cars

Are you a lover of cars and looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We’ve selected a few events from the duPont REGISTRY Directory that are happening this weekend to help you make your weekend more enjoyable. Check them out! see all upcoming events DJ Envy’s Drive Your Dreams Car Show Sep 07 at 12:00PM 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094 learn more Supercar Sunday at West Coast Exotic Cars Sep 08 at 7:00AM 26175 Jefferson Ave, Murrieta, CA 92562 learn more Motorsports Gathering Sep 07 at 7:00AM 11333 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL learn more Nashville Cars and Coffee Sep 07 at 8:00AM 633 Frazier Drive, Franklin, TN learn more

By Edward Jones – August 29, 2019

Dream Ride Experience 2019: An Automotive Event Like No O...

Dream Ride Experience 2019: The Most Inspiring Automotive Event By Edward Jones I've come across many automotive events in my years, but the Dream Ride Experience in Farmington, Connecticut will stand out as the most inspiring and moving event that I've attended. The Dream Ride Experience 2019 was the 19th annual event and it was unlike anything I've ever attended. While there was an incredible showing of cars, what stood out during the Dream Ride Experience was the amount of heart behind this event. Dream Ride Experience is the signature fundraising event of The Hometown Foundation, Inc, a 501 (c)(3) charitable foundation that centers around individuals with intellectual disabilities, individuals with a major illness, animal welfare, emergency response personnel and the military. Dream Riders are special guests of the event who take center stage during the entirety of the weekend. It was all started by Michael Bozzuto, a man with one of the largest hearts I've seen. Just about everyone I had talked to at the event had a story regarding Mr. Bozzuto and how he would drop everything for one of his Dream Riders. His generosity has culminated into the Dream Ride Experience, where everyone attends with an open heart, ready to help. For the Dream Ride Experience, Special Olympic athletes and more were invited out for a weekend that they would never forget as dream riders and the stars of the weekend. From the Dream Cruise to the dancing parties, it was impossible to not find a smiling face. Saturday - Dream Cruise 2019 For the Dream Cruise, Dream Riders are paired up with classic and exotic cars and sat passenger for a 12-mile cruise. Police escorts guided the cruise out of the Farmington Club and onto the 12-mile path ahead. Streets were lined with spectators who were waving to the Dream Riders, cheering them on as they drove off in what I consider to be the largest envoy of exotic, luxury and classic cars I've ever witnessed. Upon arriving back at the Farmington Club, Dream Riders were presented with a red carpet that guided them into a massive tent. This is where the party began. DJ LAZ and Rubix Kube were the musical guests for the night, playing tunes that kept the Dream Riders dancing throughout the night. There may be no shortage of rallies in the United States, but the Dream Cruise is something completely different. Honestly, you have to see it to believe just how special it really is. Sunday - Dream Show 2019 If you thought the East Coast couldn't put on a massive car show, the Dream Show is here to prove you wrong. When I stepped onto the field Sunday morning, I was blown away with the sheer number of cars attending. Local dealerships like Miller Motorcars, Ferrari of New England and McLaren Boston came out in full-force and attendees came in droves with cars of their own. When all cars were parked, there were hundreds of incredible cars parked on the Farmington Club grounds. Cars like the De Tomaso P72, Koenigsegg Jesko, Pininfarina Battista, Bugatti Chiron, Koenigsegg Agera, McLaren Senna and many others were on display. I think I counted almost 10 Sennas in attendance to give you an idea of just how wild it was. Throughout the day, judges walked around the endless amount of cars to pick winners and guests were voting on the duPont REGISTRY People's Choice Award winner. The winner was actually an incredibly rare 1967 Ford Mustang that was built in Venezuela. After talking to the owner, we learned that his grandfather had purchased it new and it had been imported decades later. Now, the current owner regularly drives the Mustang to car shows, track days and charitable events. To cap off the day, Dream Riders presented The Hometown Foundation, Inc. with a massive $2.4 million check. That's what this is all about. No matter what coast you're on, the Dream Ride Experience is one event that you don't want to miss. There's so much to be seen and so many emotions to be felt at the event that everyone, even those who don't care about the car, will leave with a smile on their face. Next year will be their 20th annual event and Mr. Bozzuto promises it will be the biggest Dream Ride Experience yet. Visit DreamRide.org for More Info

By Andrew Nabors – August 29, 2019

Exotics on Broadway 2019 Recap

If you were in Monterey for Car Week, you might have been anticipating Exotics on Cannery Row. Well, they outgrew their first location. Working with the City Government, they were able to secure a bigger and better venue in Seaside, California. Our team said it was an epic event, so here is Exotics on Broadway 2019 recap. We would like to thank the staff and volunteers who allowed our latest magazine to be included with every Goodie Bag. The streets were flooded with social media stars from around the world and several celebrities. Aside from Dennis Rodman, notables included Horacio Pagani, Christian von Koenigsegg, Steve Saleen, and Jerod Shelby. It was definitely the largest gathering of Ferrari F50s in years, and it could be the record for Pagani and Koenigsegg models together at one event. Of all the owners in attendance, we must applaud @langlem @koenigseggautomotive @sparky18888. A young man with a degenerative nerve disorder wished to visit Top Marques Monaco, but doctors wouldn't let him travel. He and his parents surprised him with tickets to Exotics on Broadway and they were elated when he was able to sit in a few of the cars. Jonathan and his father Garry Sadly, he passed away a few days ago. From his parents' Facebook post " Thank you for giving him the experience of a lifetime! You made him so happy, he was still showing his car pictures to his doctors a few minutes before he passed away very peacefully with the biggest smile! His heart is so full! Thank you, everyone." We should all be thankful to enjoy our passion together, and use it to bring happiness to those that need it. Our condolences to Garry & Regina. Exotics on Broadway is a must-see event, and they sold out every ticket. We know of no other show that combines the latest and greatest in the automotive world. https://www.facebook.com/eobshow/videos/2360776574135609/ Related: Pebble Beach Concept Lawn 2019 duPont REGISTRY Live at Pebble Beach

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